Meet the Children
Baraka Elipokea Japhet

Seven year-old Baraka was born into the Meru tribe. His father died when he was 2 years old and his mother deserted the family. He lived with his grandmother for two years but her health made it impossible for her to care for him. He is a quiet, observant, self-contained boy. He makes straight A’s at school and can often be found working in the yard with a wheelbarrow and other tools during his free time. He was born on June 29, 2001 and is in 1st grade.
William Ernest Shabani

William is a shy 10 year-old from the Nysianzu tribe. If encouraged, he will reward your attention with a big wonderful smile; otherwise he tends to observe others from a quiet corner. This is due more to his lack of self-confidence than a desire to be alone. He’s becoming more confident on the soccer field and likes to practice his addition with Baraka, another of the TACODA boys. William also loves to draw. He was born on October 11, 1998 and is in the 3rd grade.
Noah Moses Kivuyo

Noah is a quiet 10 year-old, from the Maasai tribe, whose mother died five months after his birth and whose father rejected him. Noah loves to cook and is always helping out in the kitchen. He’s a good athlete and is well liked by the other boys. He has an inquiring mind and loves to read.  Noah was born on January 21, 1999 and is in the 5th grade.

Mbwana Khatibu Jamali

Nine year-old Mbwana, a member of the Ndengereko tribe, has told the principal at his new school that he wants to be an artist when he grows up. He’s sometimes emotional and easily frustrated but he’s learning to work through it. Unlike most of the TACODA boys Mbwana has a family member, his older brother, who occasionally visits him; whenever he does, Mbwana’s face lights up! Mbwana was born March, 5, 1999 and is in the 3rd grade.
Justini Nkirwa Nnko

Ten year-old Justini was born into the Meru tribe. He is a boy who always has a huge bashful smile on his face and is very eager to please. Despite not having much self-confidence yet, if you ask him, he will happily show you how he can dance or do acrobatics, both of which he does very well. Justini was born on December 1, 1998 and is in the 1st grade.
Hamisi Sadi

Nine year-old Hamis, whose father was Rwandise, was prone to outbursts when he first came to TACODA. He has changed a great deal since then. He was one of the first two boys to pass the entrance exam to private school, where a teacher recently praised his brilliance in classroom discussion. He is also a natural acrobat who can comfortably cross a room walking on his hands, and a talented soccer player. He loves to draw and begs for lessons. He was born on October 14, 1999 and is in the 3rd grade.
Derik John Mwakzao

We don’t know Derik’s actually birthday but we have been told he was born in 1999 and that his parents, of the Taveta tribe, died of AIDS. He is an intelligent boy who is quickly learning English and often serves as an interpreter for TACODA volunteers who don’t speak Kiswahili. Like most of the TACODA boys, we don’t know what traumas he suffered before he came to us, but it has left him with a strong need to be loved. He is in the 3rd grade.

Gift Saitoti

Gifty, as he is called, is a Maasai who was living on the streets with his sister before he came to TACODA. We believe he is 12 years old although we have no exact birth date. While he was homeless he suffered disfiguring burns to one hand which he is still embarrassed about and tries to hide from visitors. He has a gentle, mischievous nature and can often be found helping one of the younger boys, who look up to him. Recently confirmed in the Lutheran Church, Gifty is in the 3rd grade.
Ombeni Samwel Pallangyo

Ombeni is an easy-going 12 year-old, of the Meru tribe. He gets along well with adults and is quick to run errands and do favors whenever asked. He’s currently an indifferent student but is very good on the drums. He is also showing an interest in girls!  Recently confirmed in the Lutheran Church, his birthday is January 15, 1995. He is in the 4th grade.
Ramadhani Mohamed

Ten year-old “Rama” was born into the Msambaa tribe. He often seeks warmth and affection from adults who are happy to lavish it on him! He is well liked by the other boys and has established himself as a talented soccer goalie on the TACODA team for the younger children. His birthday is February 26, 1999 and he is the 3rd grade.
Derik Loitovuaki Mathayo

While we don’t know Derik’s date of birth, we believe he is 6 years old. He’s definitely an extrovert, always finding a lap to sit on whenever a visitor or volunteer arrives at TACODA. He is a talented and fearless soccer player, who challenges any player of any size.  He plays on the team for the younger children and is the mascot of the older boys’ teams. “Deriky” was born into the Maasai tribe and is in the 1st grade.





"Tonight many young boys sleep soundly, rescued from the grimy streets they used to call home.  The boys were orphaned and abandoned children rescued by TACODA from a hopeless existence and given the opportunity not only to dream of a better life, but to achieve that dream. 

"I visited the TACODA Children's Center one year after it was set up. Where I expected to find reticence, instead I found confidence shining in their eyes, laughter ringing in the air, and joy being expressed in their welcoming of visitors. They truly have become a family secure in their belief that they will be together from here on out."

- Derick Dirmaier Teacher



Kelvin, Godfrey, and Ramadhani

Kelvin, Godfrey and Ramadhani were three of the first homeless children to be taken in by TACODA. Ramadhani was the oldest and after one year with us, we sent him to vocational school, supported by the Watoto Foundation, to finish his education. Ramadhani finished his studies recently and has joined the local community as a fledgling cook.

Kelvin and Godfrey were adopted by extended family members approximately two years after they came to TACODA. They continue to live in the community and attend school. They also visit with their TACODA brothers as often as it can be arranged..

Ezekial

Ezekial is a TACODA boy for whom we were able to establish boarding school accomodations. He came to our attention at a time in our operations when we had no capacity to house one more homeless children. With the assistance of another local charity, The Foundation for Tomorrow, Ezekial was taken into a primary boarding school. Ezekiel's mother died of AIDS, no one knew who his father was and no other family members stepped forward to claim him. We are extremely grateful to The Foundation for Tomorrow in helping us add Ezekial to the rolls of TACODA boys.
"It is better to light a candle than to curse the darkness."
- Eleanor Roosevelt
TACODA
& The Jim Arden Foundation
Creating Better Lives for Tanzanian Children